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With Boeing and Airbus buying up much of the world’s composite output for their newest jets in development, makers of sports equipment such as racing bikes are finding a shortage of the light-weight carbon fiber material, reports the Wall Street Journal. …

A380 at Dubai Air Show last November Emirates, the fast-growing airline based in Dubai of the United Arab Emirates, has raised a lot of eyebrows the last couple of years with record-setting deals for jets from Boeing and Airbus. It has ordered 43 A380s from Airbus, more than 40 777s from Boeing and is taking another 30 777s on lease. That’s in addition to a number of A340s it has ordered from Airbus. …

Airbus won the 2005 order battle with Boeing after a late surge. But some industry analysts and observers are questioing a 150-pane order from the Chinese government that put Airbus over the top of its rival. They also say that Airbus, while selling more than 900 of its single-aisle jets, faired poorly against Boeing in the more lucrative widebody market. …

An FAA investigation has found no safety issues regarding the jackscrews in the MD-80 jets operated by Alaska Airlines. A published report last October raised questions whether the jackscrews were being lubricated as required. …

The chairman of Airbus North America believes that the U.S. battle with Europe over Airbus launch aid — a case that is now before the World Trade Organization — has been hurt by Boeing’s record sales year. …

Getting a seat near the front cabin of a commercial jetliner has a big advantage if you need to get off fast to make a connecting flight. …

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Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate.